Tohru and the Beast

By: Kinomi Shadow

Disclaimer: I don't own Fruits Basket...

Kyo noticed, after a few days, that Tohru appeared distant, sad almost. He didn't want her to be sad, because a part of him couldn't find hope if she was upset. So Kyo went up to her room, greeted warmly by a very affectionate Shiguri, and sat on the bed next to her.

"Tohru," Kyo tried to say as gently as possible. "What's wrong?"

"N-nothing," Tohru said, averting her gaze. "Every thing's fine."

Kyo didn't look at all convinced.

"Are you happy here?" he asked slowly, not really wanting to know her answer.

"Of course I am!" Tohru said, trying to convince herself. "You've been kind to me lately and Shiguri really seems to like you."

"But do you want to stay here," Kyo asked, looking at the floor with sadness.

There was a moment of silence.

"Well," Tohru said softly. "I am worried about my friend Yuki. Shiguri seems to think something may have happened to him and I really wish I could see him once more."

Kyo sighed and withdrew from his pants pocket a rather small mirror. He handed it to her, a single tear running down his cheek.

"Just speak his name and this mirror will show him to you," Kyo said.

Tohru held it in her shaky hands, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Please show me Yuki," Tohru said, holding the mirror firmly in both hands.

The mirror flashed with a bright light and an image of Yuki gasping on the snowy forest floor appeared. More tears flooded Tohru's face and she quickly wiped them away, gasping heavily as she tried to recover from that horrible sight.

"What's wrong?" Kyo asked in a worried tone. "Tohru-chan?"

"He's dying," Tohru sobbed. "He's very sick. He can't stay out there like that. He has asthma..."

Kyo hung his head down, feeling very hopeless, but he had no choice. Looking away from her, he did the only thing he could do.

"Then go to him," Kyo whispered. "He needs you."

Tohru looked up at him, her eyes watery.

"Y-you're letting me go?" Tohru asked, her eyes wide.

Kyo still refused to look at her.

"Yes," He said slowly. "And you can take the mirror to remember me by."

Tohru reached over and embraced Kyo around his neck. His skin felt cold and leathery, but she hugged him anyway.

Kyo could feel his heart racing. No one had ever hugged him before. He loved the feel of her warm body against him, but before he knew it she had let go. He watched her as she left the castle, as she turned and yelled: "You really are a good person!"

Kyo stayed in her room for the longest time, scratching Shiguri behind his ears. Shiguri, however, was just as miserable as Kyo (partially because he had just got fixed) and did not wag his tail. He just laid his head on Kyo's lap, whining and trying to comfort him.

It was then that Kyo realized with a heavy feeling, that he had fallen in love with Tohru. But it was too late. He had let her go. Besides, who cold ever love a monster? Who could ever love a beast?